Bono has hit back at critics who claim that he can’t be sympathetic to the plight of the poor with his stature.
“You can still contribute even if you are not as fortunate as I am,” he said in an interview with The Daily Mail. “I've been blessed and I've been over-rewarded for what I do and I'm trying to give my time and my resources but you know, I'm a rich rock star, so shoot me.“I'm having a great life and even though I can be a pain in the arse going on about all this stuff, the band feel strongly about it too.”
The backlash comes from critics who are unhappy that U2 moved their business affairs to The Netherlands where the tax laws are a little more sympathetic to artists royalties.
The move came after a change in Ireland’s tax laws which capped tax-free royalty income for artists at ¬250,000. This caused an uproar, with Irish aid organisations accusing the band of tax fraud.
U2 manager Paul McGuiness at the time told the Belfast Telegraph "U2 is a global business and it pays taxes globally.
"At least 95% of U2's business takes place outside of Ireland and as a result the band pays many different kinds of taxes all over the world.”
The move, which happened in 2006, is estimated to have saved the band around ¬15m. They remain one of the most successful bands in history.
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